Is the DIR reg config safe when diving with rec trained divers?

[John_B]

Mike, I'll just go through the first part of the drill.

You deploy by grasping the hose with your palm facing you (back of your hand facing the OOG diver), ducking your head ever so slightly, presenting the reg to your buddy with the reg and purge valve unencumbered. All in one motion.

OK, so now your buddy has air, and you have time to go to your backup.

At this point you can stop, exchange OKs, then you'll hold the primary hose securely with your left hand while you untuck the hose from under the canister, knife pouch, etc. and free it from under your right arm with a sort of "wheelhouse" motion. (That left hand prevents the wheelhouse motion from tugging your primary back out of the mouth of your buddy.) A small tug with the right hand will show you its all out and, viola, all seven feet of hose is freed and you can finish the drill from there.

It takes longer to think about it and type it than it does to just do it.

Everything else is exactly the same as with a five footer. Regardless of the five vs. seven foot non-issue, I start every dive with this part of the drill (modified s-drill). If nothing else, it shows me I haven't trapped any hoses when gearing up.

Located that close to the Breakwater, etc. (I'm jealous, can you tell?) you should see if you can't meet up with someone from SB to do a practice dive or two to work on this. Always good to get a critique, IMO.

 

[Ben_ca]

I have a question to piggyback off of all that is being said. I have both the 5ft and 7ft hoses. I used the 5ft when I didn't own my CAN light. When using the 5ft hose I use to trap it under my bungie.

After a couple of divers saw my mistakes from pictures they were nice enough to point out my mistakes. They had me use a shorter bungie on my necklace and that helped me out a ton.

Now the bungie doesn't conflict at all with the 5ft hose resting on my neck since it's shorter.

But my question is not on the 5ft hose, but instead on the 7ft hose. I actually love the CAN light securing the extra length of the 7ft hose. But I haven't done a S-drill while underwater, how easy is it to deploy while around that CAN light?

Does or can it get stuck as you are trying to donate that long hose to your OOA diver? Does practice make the difference and there is no tips to the drill?

I do like that Gombessa talked about slightly tilting your head forward when donating, I hadn't thought about that, but would like a tip on the CAN since most divers have CANS.

Thanks,

MG

Mike,
Take the class.

 

[Gombessa]

Does or can it get stuck as you are trying to donate that long hose to your OOA diver? Does practice make the difference and there is no tips to the drill?

The long hose remains trapped under the canister until the donor frees it (after the regulator is donated). Once the hose is donated and the situation is under control, then the donee holds onto the reg, and the donor reaches around, untucks the hose from the canister, and fully deploys the hose.

 

[John_B]

Take the class.

Probably the best answer, right there.

 

[mikeguerrero]

Mike,
Take the class.

Begun the Clone Wars has...

YouTube - Begun the Clone War has...

 

[RJP]

Begun the Clone Wars has...

Soon, your transition will be complete!

 

[RonMurray]

First of all - you are going to love the long hose / bungied secondary. I too 'migrated' from the standard octo setup with my recreational gear. Then slowly moved to bp/w, doubles, etc.

I have had one OOG situation with DIR setup. Diving the aggregate piles in Lake Meade at around 100' my buddy looks a little wild eyed and indicates he is low on gas. Rather then wait for his reg to start breathing hard I pass him my primary - it unspools clean as a whistle and my backup is 4" from my mouth. We swim on to the anchor line. No stress - no mess.

 

[TSandM]

Kathydee, you asked about someone to help you through this transition. I would assume you are mostly diving in Monterey? If so, there is a very nice group of DIR divers down there (here, I should say, because I'm in Monterey at the moment) and I'm sure somebody would be willing to spend a little time going over your setup and helping you get it sorted out. Best thing would be to pick a weekend and post that you are coming down, and ask for a buddy for a dive or two.

 

[SparticleBrane]

Soon, your transition will be complete!

Something something something Dark Side...

 

[MXGratefulDiver]

8. forgetting to put on your necklace reg at all

... or forgetting to take it out of your mouth and go back on your primary ...

Remember that wreck workshop we did three years back? I did about half a dive breathing off my backup. Didn't even realize I hadn't switched back to my primary until JoeRad decided to toss an OOA my way. What a surprise when I attempted to hand off my reg only to have it snap back in my face! He was rather amused ...

... Bob (Grateful Diver)